PLO Lumumba to Raila: Ignore them, do not storm State House

Seasoned constitutional lawyer PLO Lumumba has urged Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga to ignore calls from his allies to storm State House next week in protest of President William's Ruto administration.

According to Lumumba, Odinga's close confidants are misleading the former prime minister instead of advising him on better ways he can air his frustrations against President Ruto's regime without turning to mass action.

"When you read social media, there is no shortage of individuals on the side of Azimio urging Odinga to go on. I am urging him please do not listen to these individuals, they are not your well-wishers," said Prof. Lumumba on Wednesday night during an interview on the JKLive show.

He added that should Raila proceed with the planned protests, slated for March 20, 2023, then the former premiere will taint his political image, legacy and reputation which he has spent decades building.

"There are people who want the historical credits that you have accumulated to be forgotten by history; do not listen to them," said Prof. Lumumba.

He went ahead to advise Odinga to reach out to President Ruto and establish harmonious relations with the head of state for the sake of Kenyans.

"It is not too late, this country belongs to all of us and I hope if Raila loves this country as he says he does this is the time to reach out to President Ruto. The clergy urged him yesterday. I'm urging him to listen to the country. I am urging him to do what is good and right. Kenya is waiting. Let us stop this nonsense," said Lumumba.

Despite his sentiments, Lumumba underscored that he was not advocating for a handshake between Ruto and Raila.

"I'm not talking about handshakes; I am talking about conversations about our country and I am saying there are existing institutions," he said.

"Where is our Parliament, Senate and Council of Governors? Why are we paying them and why did we elect them?"

He likewise chimed in on the demonstrations witnessed in Kisumu on Wednesday when Azimio la Umoja protesters disrupted an ongoing meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga sports ground which was being presided over by Communications Authority (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba.

" I saw what was happening in Kisumu and the people were baying for the blood of a CS. Thank God he was not there because we would have had a death," he said.

"They were saying that they were rehearsing for Nairobi and if this was a rehearsal then there will be rivers of blood in Nairobi."